Tunisia: Women assaulted in the campuses

Published on Tue, 2011-11-08 07:44

Photo: Women in the Mediterranean

The Tunisian Association of Democratic Women (ATFD, one of the focal points of Social Watch in that country) created an “emergency cell” to take statements of women who suffer assaults in the university campuses and to offer them support and solidarity.

The last incidents, according to the French newspaper L’Humanité, took place in the Manouba School of Economics and the High Institute of Theology.

“Following the incidents that took place in educational institutions in our country, involving acts of violence and violation of individual freedoms in some schools, institutes and faculties, and where some people have tried to impose sectarian outfits to unveiled students and professors in cases of violence and intimidation, the ATFD expresses its refusal and condemnation of these practices contrary to the principles of freedom of dress, opinion and belief,” remarked the Association in a statement.

The ATFD warned “against such practices targeting women in an attempt to intimidate against their clothing choices and opinions”, aimed to “the establishment of a system of tyranny in our country that would undermine women’s gains and undermine civil liberties.”

“While proclaiming our commitment to the principles of the Revolution in Tunisia of freedom and dignity, equality and justice and rejection of tyranny, discrimination and marginalization, we express our unconditional solidarity with all victims, students and academics. We also believe that these new social and extremist views are new attempts to undermine current achievements,” the Association added.

“We also call on all forces to oppose to these practices, and we express once again our engagement to defend our gains and continue the struggle against violence and all forms of discrimination against women. We call on all sectors of civil society to raise awareness for vigilance, commitment to the defence of educational institutions, to their protection against the disorder and require all parties to abide by the rules of civil and civilized behaviour,” noted the ATFD.